《NeoRealm - Staring back into the Future》Chapter 27 - An angel and some chatter
Advertisement
On the outside the Church of Truth had looked normal. Fitting in quite nicely with the rest of the buildings in the area. However once our group stepped inside a completely different view greets them. The entrance hall before them is the epitome of a silver lining. On the side are Greek style pillars made of marble with silver trim. In the center there is a bunch of couches to use while waiting with silver tassels. At the back it even appears that the reception desk is made entirely of silver. Though it isn’t until Rosha takes a glance up that they notice the most impressive feature.
Jason is just standing there, taking in the surrounding scene when he feels a tug on his elbow. Rosha is trying to get his and James’s attention and once she has it a quick point upward shows him why. On the vaulted ceiling above is a mural the likes of which he had only seen in the oldest churches during history class. Even more impressive is it seems to only use silver and yet still shows a massive scene through the interplay of shadows and textures.
It takes a while but eventually our group gets distracted from the scene. The System finally seems to admit they are out of combat and the victory screen pops up that they had previous bypassed.
Escape Successful
23 kidnappers avoided
2 kidnappers incapacitated
4 kidnappers killed
3 silver coins
11 copper coins
Near Death Experience
+10 HP
+2 Toughness
Sustained Sprint
+3 Toughness
+1 Strength
James and Jason both seem quite immersed in their screens. Apparently something important was gained for both of them. Rosha however isn’t and slaps them both on the back of the head, “We’re here you idiots. Time enough to stare into space later.” and she drags them both towards the reception desk.
Behind the desk is an angel with silver hair and wearing a silver dress. As the group approaches, she greets them though it quickly devolves into a bit of a rant, “Welcome to the Church of Truth. As you’re new let me inform you right up front, we don’t do healing here. Yes I know our churches offer it in bigger towns but we don’t have enough divine casters here to cover that and our actual work.”
Advertisement
This outburst stops Rosha in her tracks. Not exactly what she was expecting from an angel. James nudges her to the side and takes over, “Well luckily we are here to turn in a quest and not get healing. In fact we just need to deliver a letter from the captain of the guard though we will need to wait for a response of some sort. Chain quests never end this easily.”, Then he holds out the note so as to show the angel who it is addressed to.
The angel pauses and takes a deep breath. Looking a bit calmer it responds, “Ah, okay I will call”, and it checks the note, “the head of our magical truth department. He is currently”, and the angel pulls a planner out of the air. It takes a few moments to flip through the pages before continuing, “in a meeting with some of the other heads but they should wrap up soon. You will need to wait about 10 minutes before he is free. Please proceed through the doorway behind me to the waiting lounge. While the silver looks splendid, I find most people prefer wood panelling and plush leather chairs. Oh and yeah, sorry about the rant. Some days it seems every other request is about healing.” and with that the angel motions the group through what they only now realize is a doorway and not a fancy mural.
0nce in the lounge Rosha turns to the other two, “Okay what so enthralled you about your victory screens? Though feel free to keep it on the down-low. Even if we are in the Church of Truth and they have tighter vows on keeping personal secrets than doctors.”
James shakes his head, “In the long run not much for me. A skill ranked up and I got a bit of a treat with it.” Then he turns towards Jason, “You however seem to have all kinds of weird stuff happen to you. Do you feel all right telling us what's up?”
With a sheepish grin Jason decides to speak up, “Well I just almost doubled my Hp. Mind you it was under the nice big bold lettered words of ‘Near Death Experience’ so difficult to repeat. Also it isn’t quite like one of you getting it. This bonus puts me more inline with my level.”
Advertisement
Rosha looks suitably impressed by this revelation, “You did get right up in death's face there. Do you think your new skeletal prowess helped you not lose an arm?
“Not with the big damage blow. It was strong but not completely chop an arm off strong. I don’t think they wanted any of us dead. Never know where we might have our spawn points set after all. Though back to the topic of my skeleton it very much is why I was willing to just grab the sword. I probably would have lost a finger otherwise.”, though at this point he runs his hand through his hair and flashes a sheepish grin, “Not that I knew it at the time. I got a little reactive there.”
James sighs, “They definitely wanted us captured and not killed. Just me alone would be a problem as they don’t know if I still have my spawn set to be the dwarven outpost. If it was a dead or alive sort of thing they would have sent people past the first bottleneck. Though luckily they don’t have any professional kidnappers in whatever organization they have after us. Otherwise they might have been able to send some level 49 monsters packed to the gill with CC skills and spells.”
Rosha seems to nod in agreement but Jason cuts her off, “Don’t count on that. What we saw isn’t the most they can send at us. Likely all we saw was what they were paid to send after us. I wouldn’t be surprised if this was a regional thieves or assassins guild. The wolfkin brat probably hasn’t even told his father yet. What we just saw might be the equivalent of that group throwing their pocket change at us. On the final day we probably will need some serious protection. That is when his father will likely be informed and we get to truly experience what throwing money at a problem is like.”
After thinking about it they all agree that is the most likely situation. Though now that they got the heavy stuff out of the way the group settles down for some light chatter. With that the ten minutes are finally up and they are called into a meeting room. As they are heading there though Jason remembers he hasn’t looked at his screen in a while and pops it up to take a glance at it.
Basic Info
Name: Jason
Level: 3 - 98%
Legal Status: New Player
Title: N/A
Normal Stats
Strength
26 (12[Base] +10[Eq] +4[Set])
Toughness
31 (17[Base] +10[Eq] +4[Set])
Agility
26 (12[Base] +10[Eq] +4[Set])
Auxiliary Stats
Defense
42 (30[Eq] +12[Set])
HP
24
Energy
3
Bonuses
Knowledge Bonus:
+1% success rate when using an Energy Herb as an ingredient or growing one.
Ability to identify the maturity of a Herb with relevant Identify skills
Discovery Bonus:
+1% success rate when using an Energy Herb or growing one
Able to get a feeling for maturity of a Herb without a skill
Control of Experience intake
Living Amber Skeletal System
Description:
This masterpiece of magical items is the opposite of the undead. While undead are the living that are killed and turned into magical items, this is a magical item turned into a living piece of a creature. An intricately carved full skeleton made entirely of Magical Amber. It was then hollowed out leaving just the barest of a lattice work. When magically implanted into the host the bone marrow was grafted into these cavities. Because of difficulties and dangers that appear when trying to enchant a living creature they have instead been imbued with magic.
Effects:
Sap like Blood - The blood produced by the marrow is more viscous and sticky when it leaves the body. Slower bleed rate and more likely to stop bleeding
Crafted Bones - Because of the material and structure, the bones are tougher and can take an impact easier
One and the Same - Despite being a magical item they will not show up as a separate item and only appear under the possessors character screen. Any attempt at removal will face the same difficulties as removing a person's actual bones.
Soulbound - Not even death will part you from this item
Bonuses:
+5 [base] toughness
+5 [base] hp
Organizations
Adventurers Guild
Basic Member
Rank F
Odd Ones Out
Team Member
Leader
Advertisement
Unwillingly Reborn
Raphael Bluescale, a former Japanese world famous athlete, wakes up in the body of an infant after he suffered an awful death. Suicide was the cuase of it, and as such, the prospect of being forced to live yet another life brings him nothing but despair. A world full of magic, swords, fantastic creatures and dangerous monsters awaits him. A world all for him to explore and discorver filled with fights, enemies and encounters with different races. He, born in a normal looking family, will discover to be slightly different that the common. Will this new life be the oportunity to redeem himself and fulfill his dreams? Or will it be the same as his past life, filled with harships, treachery and backstabbing?
8 294Humanity Extinguished
I had the same nightmare again. The loss of my first life continues to haunt me, but now it aches like an old wound. A more grievous injury to my psyche was the losses yet to come and the inevitable hellscape I would return to again and again. Reincarnation is my curse. The lives themselves weren't all that bad. Losing people you cared about hurt and all, but even that pain was preferable to experiencing the nothingness between lives for months at a time. It was enough to drive anyone mad. Now I have to focus on breaking this horrible cycle. Thankfully I have all the time in the world. Trace is an average man driven by extraordinary circumstances in an indifferent and cruel world. His reincarnations give him a few key advantages but also take a heavy toll on him. He lives in a world where magic is uncommon and underpowered compared to the limitless physical adaptations you can acquire by getting your hands a little bloody. This story is one of hardship and terrible lows, but also monumental achievements and grand heights. The main character has flaws. While some of these flaws will fade with time, others will worsen. Thank you for taking the time to read my synopsis. I plan to release 2-3 chapters a week. Cover art is 'The Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans Under the Command of Titus, A.D. 70' by David Roberts.This art is in the public domain.
8 140Road Rage
A mechanic has to find their way through an alien landscape with their trusty pickup by their side and a weird screen hanging around. " VROOOOOM!!" " What do you mean don't go left"? " TOot Honk BRZZZ!" "... Ah. I see the teeth now. Lets Fucking go right" Wherein a journey home could also use some anger management. Participant in the Royal Road Writathon Challenge ======================================================================== This story will continue until it’s done so don’t worry about the curse of online writing. All the support I get will go into putting more time into writing, cool art, videos and special merch ( I’m talking an art book here people). The system in the novel if you havn't seen it before is based off the story Azerinth Healer. Don't worry ,got permission to use it. Go check it out on royal road or support it also through Patreon. It and wandering Inn are what made me want to write this.p.s I love making surveys and getting reader reactions so don’t be shy. Shout your support and your opinion.
8 199The Economics of Emotion
Walking an empty life, he was granted a new start within a story of his own making. Instead of being able to walk the life of a mc he was designated the role of a side villain, an intentional loose end as there was no real “role” outside of being the villain. Unneeded and unwanted in this story but granted a new lease on life he decided to take up the role of the lead villain and to rest control of his story back into his own hands! --------- Participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge November 2021!
8 95Dreamworld: The First Age
For six years Katie, the archangel, has been a part of heaven's military, fighting a losing war with the endless void known as the black empire. She and her comrades fight for the lives of every person in the universe. Planets destroyed, galaxies swallowed, and dimensions obliterated. Madness slowly consumes her as she loses her allies to this conflict. In this madness, she slowly discovers her true purpose in life.
8 131Void
Following the battle with Zamasu, two warriors experiment with what could have been...
8 82